11 Facts About Malaria

In 2010, some 3.3 billion people lived in areas at risk of malaria transmission in 107 countries and territories, including parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, Hispaniola, and Oceania.
In 2009, about 225 million people were living with malaria and 781,000 died as a result of the disease.
At least one million deaths occur every year due to malaria.
35 countries, 30 in which are in Africa, account for 98% of worldwide malaria deaths.
It costs Africa $30 billion annually in lost productivity and eats up 40% of hospital expenditures, stalling economic and social development.
Malaria kills more African children than any other disease.
People who have little or no immunity to malaria, such as children and pregnant women, are more likely to become severely ill and die if bitten by an infected mosquito.
Children who survive episodes of severe malaria may develop learning impairments and brain damage.
People subjected to frequent malaria infections (such as young children and pregnant women in high transmission areas) can develop anemia due to frequent destruction of the red blood cells by the malaria parasites. Severely anemic patients might receive blood transfusions which, in developing countries, can expose them to HIV and other blood born diseases.
In developing countries, the harmful effects of malaria may combine with those of other highly prevalent diseases and conditions, such as malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, and anemia of all causes. Such combinations can have severe results, especially if they occur repeatedly
Since many countries with malaria are already among the poorer nations, the disease maintains a vicious cycle of disease and poverty. People who cannot afford a bed net for prevention or access appropriate treatment when they fall sick, are the ones that suffer the most.